Forensic pathology

Forensic pathology is a discipline principally concerned with the investigation of deaths, where a person has died in suspicious circumstances (i.e. manslaughter, murder, suicide or accident).The role of the forensic pathologist is to determine, by means of a post mortem examination, the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident, which led to the death.

In relation to criminal defence it is of utmost importance that the defence solicitor and counsel understand fully the content and implications of the post mortem report, if the alleged victim is deceased; or the implications of the medical report and photographs, if the alleged victim was merely injured.

As medical professionals however, pathologists are also best placed to comment on cases where the victim is not deceased but has instead sustained non-fatal injuries, which are suspected to be as a result of a violent crime or abuse.